From: NefeshBarYochai <void@invalid.noy>
Newsgroups: can.politics,fl.politics,alt.society.liberalism,alt.politics.democrats.d,alt.politics.trump
Subject: Ben-Gvir orders demolitions in Palestinian towns, villages within Israel
Organization: The International Network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2025 23:28:06 -0500
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has instructed
Israeli forces to prioritise demolishing homes in Palestinian towns
and villages within Israel, based on claims that they were built
without permits.
According to Haaretz, Ben-Gvir lacks the legal authority to determine
demolition policies, a responsibility held by Israeli Attorney General
Gali Baharav-Miara in coordination with enforcement agencies.
Nevertheless, during private meetings with Israeli forces, he pushed
for the destruction of Palestinian family buildings.
Sources reveal that Ben-Gvir justified these orders as a way to
demonstrate governance and increase deterrence, even stating: The
best deterrent is evicting a family from its home.
One source noted: It was completely clear he meant demolitions in the
Arab community. Ben-Gvir is seeking provocation and chaos; thats what
interests him.
Senior Israeli occupation officers confirmed that Ben-Gvir insisted on
prioritising demolitions of occupied homes, even when such structures
are not high-priority cases.
The Israeli government justifies these demolitions by claiming the
structures were built without permits, although obtaining such permits
is nearly impossible for Palestinians under what Amnesty and other
human rights groups have described as Israels two-tier apartheid
system.
Ben-Gvirs push to add occupancy as a criterion for demolition drew
objections from senior Justice Ministry officials, who urged the
Israeli forces to assert their independence. Ben-Gvir is acting like
a super-commissioner, said one official.
Despite resistance, Israeli forces operations increasingly align with
Ben-Gvirs focus on demolishing Arab community homes, reported
Haaretz.
State Prosecutor Amit Aisman and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara
are aware of Ben-Gvirs interference but have yet to confront him
directly. Meanwhile, Ben-Gvir continues to issue demolition orders
against Palestinian homes.